Optical scanning device



Nov. l0, 1953 R. J. wlsE' ET AL OPTICAL sc ANNING DEVICE s sheets-sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 26, 1945 FIG. l

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INVENTORS R.J. WISE G.H. RIDINGS ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 R. J. WISE ET AL -OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 26, 1945 6 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORS R. J. WISE BY l G. H. RIDINGS ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 R. J. wlsE ET AL 2,558,940

OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE v original Filed oct. 2e, 1945 e sheets-sheet s FIG. 3

FIG. 3A

JNVENToRs R. J. w l sE By G. H. RlDlNcs ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 R. J.' wlsE ET AL 2,653,940

OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE original Filed oct. 26, V1945 e sheets-sheet 4 FIG. 4 ,o4

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ATTORNEY `Nov. 10, 1953 RfJ. WISE ET AL OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 26, 1945 l 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Nov. l0, 1953 R. J. wlsE ET AL OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Oct. 26, 1945 OSILLATOR AMPLIFIER INVENToRs R. J. w ISE G.H.RIDINGS ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 10, 1953 .2,658,940 I oPTIoAL soANNING DEVICE Raleigh J. Wise, Arlington, and Garvice H. Ridings, Summit, N. J., assignors toi-The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of New York original application october 2s, 1945, serial No. 624,786. Divided and thisv application January .26, 1951, Serial No. 208,035

11 Claims. 1,

This invention relates to facsimile transmitters of the optical scanning type, and its general object is to provide optical scanning mechanism particularly adapted for coded tape transmission.

This optical scanning mechanism comprises a novel structure for projecting a sharply focused image .of the scanned area of the tape onto an apertured plate so designed as to produce a signal wave with an approximately straight front. The apertured plate is completely shielded between a pair of transparent members, so that no dust -particles can gather in the minute aperture of the plate to interfere with the passage of light reflected from the scanned tape to the photocell of the apparatus. A manually adjustable mounting for the apertured plate affords a quick and easy focusing of the illuminated tape area on the plate and this image is always viewable through a sight opening in the scanningbox.

Another important feature of our optical scanning apparatus comprises means for automatically sending a standby signal to the line when the tape runs out. This standby signaling means responds automatically to the absence of tape at the point where the exciter lamp projects its scanning beam. The special signals generated under those conditions inform the attendant at a distant receiver that the transmitter has temporarily run out of tape and that he should stand by for the next message.

A practical embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front view of our scanning mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side View of Fig. l, looking from left to right;

Fig. 3 is a t-op view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3A shows a detached perspective of a bracket in the scanning head;

Fig. 4 represents a section on 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged sectional view of a detail of the scanning mechanism;

Fig. 5A is a magnied face view of the apertured plate in the optical scanningpath;

Fig. 6 illustrates the same detail in plan;

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan View approximately on the broken line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic illustration indicating roughly the operative relation between i theprinted code marks on the tape and the scanning aperture of the mechanism; and

Figs. 9 to l2 show various arrangements for automatically sending standby signals over the line when the tape runs out.H n, Y Y

- |04, removably mounted on base |00, encloses the entire mechanism which is properly positioned in the machine as a unitary structure.

The machine is designed to operate on a tape |05 supported Yin the optical scanning eld in any practical way, as by a spool or guide roller 06 and a spring blade |01, between which the tape is held as it is Vpulled along at the proper speed by a motor driven pulley |08. The spring blade |01 has a slot' |01 (Fig. 7) for the passage of the Vlight to the marks on the tape. A pressure roller |09 mounted on a rock arm ||0 cooperates with the pulley |03 to form tape driving means for the scanning mechanism. The arm I I0 is fixed on a shaft I I2 mounted in brackets ||3 on the base plate |00 (Fig. 7), and a Spring |4 always tends to rock the arm down so as to hold the roller |09 pressed against the tape on pulley |08. 'The code marks on the tape, as herein shown by way of example, consist of square dots I5 and rectangular dots I I6 properly spaced and grouped to represent secret intelligence. p

Thev tape driving mechanism thus briey described is part of 'the subject matter of the pending application of Wise et al., Serial No.

' 624,786, filed October 26, 1945, now U. S. Patent 2,592,779, lof which the present case is a division as required by the Patent Oiiice. As far as the optical scanning mechanism of the present invention is concerned, any suitable tape driving means may be employed.

AOn the base plate |00 of the scanning head is mounted an upright bracket constructed as shown invFig. 3A and indicated as a whole by |21. `This bracket consists of two sheet metal plates |28 and |29 arranged at right angles and secured together in any practical way, as by an angle bar |30 Welded or riveted to the plates. The plate |23 has a pair of footpieces |3| and the plate |29 has a fo'otpiece |32. Screws |33 passing through these footpieces (see Fig. 7) secure the bracket as a single piece to the base plate |00. The bracket is so positioned that the plate |28 `extends lengthwise of the scanning head and the plate |29 goes from front to rear. The plate |28 is cut away at |34 to provide room for certain optical parts, as will be seen shortly.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is an arm |35 fastened to a rear extension |28 of bracket plate |28 by screws |36 which pass through holes |36 in bracket |21. The arm |35 extends upward and rearward at an angle of 45 and supports an exciter lamp |31, preferably of the prefocused spotlight type. This lamp is mounted in a suitable socket |38 which is attached toa plate |39 car--l ried by the arm |35. The plate |39 is secured to the underside of arm |35 by screws |40 which pass through slots |4| in the arm, as seen in Fig. 3. In this way the lamp |31 is adjustable lengthwise of the arm |35, which may itself be adjustable vertically on bracket |21 by passing the screws |36 through vertical slots either in the bracket or in the arm. The purpose of this double adjustment of the exciter lamp |31 is to focus a spot of scanning light sharply onV the tape.

Light from the exciter lamp 31 passes through a projection lens assembly |42, mounted in front of the lamp at an angle of 45. We shall not go into the structural details of this device for they are old in the art and are well understood. A tube or barrel containing the usual lenses |43 is soldered or otherwise fastened along one side to a plate |44 (see Fig. 2) and this is attached by screws |45 to the' plate |29* of bracket |21. Only one screw |45 is shown in Fig. 2, but the position of thel other screw will be apparent from Fig. 3A where the holes |46 are for the screws |45. The plate |44 may have screw slots |41 to permit axial adjustment of the lens tube |42 with respect to the lamp |31. The purpose of the optical unit |42 is to project a bright spot of light on the tape as it passes over the spool |06. The illuminated area of the tape is the surfaceexposed by the slot |01 of spring blade |01, as will be clear from Fig. 7. By making proper adjustments of Athe exciter lamp |31 and the projection tube |42, a uniform illumination of the tape at the scanning point is obtained.

The light projected by the tube |42 onto the tape is reflected through a pickup lens assembly |48 which is arranged in vertical position directly over the scanned area of the tape. As this device comprises several novel features, we shall describe the construction more fully. As seen in Fig. l, the outer part of this assembly is a casting of peculiar shape comprisingr a hollow column or tube |49, an upright extension |50 rising from the top of the column, a pair of thick lateral lugs and |52 arranged in vertical alignment, and a lateral extension |53 on the upper lug |5|. The lugs |5| and |52 may be connected at their rear edges by a strengthening rib |54. This unitary structure of parts |49 to |54 is preferably a one-piece casting of bronze or like material.

Referring to Fig. 4, the tube |49 has a cylindrical bore |55 which terminates at the bottom in a chamber |56 for a pair of lenses |51. These are held in place by -a ring |58 which is secured to the bottom edge of the tube in any practical way as by screws |59. On the top rim of tube |49 rests a right angled prism v|60 which is tted between the extension |58 and the inner wall |6| of lug |5|. The prismv |60 is clamped in place by a pair of small plates |62 and |63 (see Figs. 5 and 6) which are secured to their respective walls |50 and |6| by screws |64.

The plates |62 and |63 are `alike and each is cut away to provide a sloping edge |65 and a rectangular slot |66 which has a rear vertical edge |61. Immediately behind the prism |60 is a metal plate |68 and back of that is a glass plate |69. When the metal plates |62 and |63 are in position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the sloping edges |65 bear down on the two side edges of the sloping face of prism |60. As a result the prism is forced downward and rearward so that the glass plate |69 is pushed against the vertical edge |61-v of slot |66. Therefore, the parts |60, |68 and |69 are secured asa unit to the top of tube |49.

The metal plate |68 has -a minute rectangular slot |10 (magnified in Fig. 5A) which determines the effective scanning area of the illuminated tape surface, as will presently be explained more fully. By enclosing the plate |68 between two glass surfaces, the aperture |10 is completely protected from dust. This feature is of practical importance because the aperture |10 is so small (in the present machine it is 0.0045 inch wide and 0.024 inch long) that even particles of dust adhering to the edge would appreciably interiere with the passage of light therethrough. The pickup lens assembly |48 throws a sharp enlarged image of the illuminated area of the tape ontoV the apertured plate |68. The use of the rightangled prism |60 gives a double advantage: it. produces a more compact unit and also allows the operator to View the image on plate |68 through a front opening |1| in the hood or cover |04 of the scanning head. This is clear from Fig. 4. The cover |04 is preferably made of sheet metal painted flat black on the inside.

The light that passes through the aperture |10 of plate |66 strikes the sensitive electrode of a photocell |13 contained in a metal housing |14 which acts as an optical and electrical shield. The photocell |13 is preferably of the gas type because the sensitivity is much greater than for a vacuum type. A hole |15 in the front wall of the housing |14 (Fig. 4) allows the passage of light from the pickup lens assembly to the electrode of the cell. The housing |14 is out away at the back to form an outer recess |16 (Figs. 2 and 4), but the right Wall of the housing is entire to provide a rectangular panel |11 for receiving screws |18 which secure the housing to the plate |29 of bracket |21. In Fig. 3A, the holes |19 in bracket plate |29 receive the screws |18. To permit vertical adjustment of the housing the screws |18 pass through vertical slots |80 in panel |11, as Shown 4.

The pickup lens assembly |48 is adjustable as a unit up and down to focus the image of the tape on the plate |68. Referring to Fig. 1, there are two vertical rods |8| and |82 mounted in a thick bracket plate |83 secured to -base |88. The rod |8| is screwed into the bracket plate |83 and remains fixed to act as a guide rod. The other rod |82, which has a screw driver slot on top for adjustment, passes rotatably through the lugs |5| and |52 'of the pickup tube |49 and through lugs |84 and |85 of bracket plate |83. The rod |82 has a screw threaded section |66 between the supporting lugs |84 and |85, and this part of the rod has a screw connection with the lug |52 of pickup tube |49. The upper section of rod |82 is of slightly greater diameter than the rest of it to provide a shoulder |81 which rests on top of lug |84. The downward pressure of a coil spring |88 mounted on rod |82 between the xed lug |84 and the movable lug |52 holds the shoulder |81 permanently against the lug 84.

As shown in Fig. 3, the fixed rod |8| passes between the extension |53 of the pickup tube casting and a metal strip |89 which is secured to the casting by a screw |90. Another screw |9| can be made tight or loose to clamp the pickup tube casting against the guide rod |8| s. or to release it for vertical adjustment. When the operator wants to adjust the pickup tube |94, he first loosens the screw |9|, then turns by a chopper disk |92 driven by a motor |93 which may be an A. C. induction motor. The disk has a hub |94 which is suitably fastened to the end of the motor shaft |95, as by a set screw |95. The motor |93 is mounted on bracket plate |28 by a pair of screws |91. The upper screw is shown in Fig. 3 and the lower one in Fig. 7. These two screws pass through horizontal slots |98 in bracket plate |28 so that the motor and chopper disk can be adjusted laterally of the pickup tube |48 to center the peripheral slots |99 of the disk lwith respect to the beam of light passing to the photocell |13. As is well known, the purpose of a chopper disk in optical scanners is to generate a signal carrier of a predetermined frequency depending upon the speed of the disk and the number of slots or teeth it has.

In the present case the scanning head is releasably locked on the supporting uprights |02 by a pair of lateral bolts 208 and 200 slidably mounted on base plate |00. An expanding coil spring 2|2 normally holds the outer ends of the bolts 293--209 in holes or recesses 2|4 in the uprights |02. 'Ihese locking bolts are released by a rotary cam disk 2|8 carried on the lower end of a vertical shaft 2|9 which is supported by a U-shaped bracket 220. "When the cam disk 2|8 is given a 90 turn by means of a knob 224 on the top of casing |04, the bolts 20S- 209 are simultaneously withdrawn from the supporting uprights |02 and the scanning head can be moved as a unit. We do not claim this feature as part of our invention because it belongs in the aforesaid pending application of Wise et al., Serial No. 624,786 now U. S. Patent 2,592,779. Y n

As previously described, the projection lens assembly |42 throws a constant spot of intense light on the tape as it runs over the guide roller In Fig. 8, which is greatly exaggeratedj this spot of scanning light is represented by thev jected on the tape, it would appear as a. small rectangle at the intersection of the axes 252 and 253. The dotted outline 254 represents the image of the illuminated tape area on plate |53.VV

The area surrounding the bright scanning spot 25| will be less brightly illuminated but suiciently so as to enable the operator to see theimage for sharp focusing.

The relative dimensions of the different parts in Fig. 8 are not shown with mathematical ac-Y curacy but merely by way of approximation for clearness. Perhaps it will help to understand 8 better if we give some actual figures by! 40. Fig. 4.

way of example. In the transmitter which 'wev have described we used a white paper tape three-f eighths of an inch wide with black code marksY printed thereon `in the form of dots ||5 and dashes ||6. Each dot was 0.03 inch square and each dash measured 0.03 by 0.09 inch. The

space between two successive marks was 0.03

inch.

The dimensions of the scanning aperture |10 on plate |08 we have already'given and may be repeated here for convenience, namely, 0.0045

inch wide and 0.024 inch long. However, since the pickup lens assembly magnies the image y of the tape on plate |08, the dimensions of aperture |10 if projected on the tape, as assumed in Fig. 8, would be about 0.003 inch wide and 0.016 inch long. In other words, the effective scanning area |10 has only one-tenth the Width of a -code dot and is considerably shorter than the thickness of the code marks as measured*` transversely of the tape. The effect ofthe small scanning area |10 in relation to the area of the code marks is to send light impulses to the pho` tocell |13 in the form of a wave with a steepy ditions are shown diagrammatically in Figs. 9 toV 12 which we shall now describe. p

Fig. 9 shows provisions for sending a white or background signal tone to the photocell |13 when the tape becomes exhausted. In `this case the tape guide for the scanning mechanism consists of a block or platen 490 which may beadf justably supported like the guide roller |lv in is filled with a light refiecting and diffusing material 488, like plaster of Paris. The surface of this material is set slightly belowy the tape level so that it will not become polished like a mirror which would reflect the light at an angle away from the photocell.

When the tape runs out, the projection lens |42 throws a spot of light on element 480 which acts like the white background of the tape so that a. signal tone of maximum intensity is im? pressed on photocell |13. This signal toney is amplified and sent over the line L to a radio transmitter or other receiving apparatus 'as a white standby signal. When the operator at i the facsimile receiving station gets this signal,v

- cally sending a coded standby signal or station call letters over the line when the tape runs out.y

In this case the pressure roller 50| and the tape driving pulley 502 form switch contacts in the circuit of a relay 503 which is energized by a battery 504 or other suitable source of power. The tape feed pulley 502 is operated by a motor 504 which includes in its circuit a normally closed switch 505 controlled by the Vrelay 503. The transmission line L includes a pair of normally closed switches 500 and 501 which are opened when the relay 503 is energized.

A commutator 508 is driven at a certain speed by a motor 509 which is energized through a circuit 5|0 connected to a suitable source of power.

The motor circuit 5|0 is closed through a switch The platen 485 has a recess 431 which' H which is normally open andxis closed only when the relay 503 is energized. The Vcommutator 508 is a metal disk provided` on its periphery with insulating segments y512 arranged to form a `code signal or station call letters. A brush or contact nger 513 engages the commutator periphery and this brush is connected by a line 514 to a normally open contact 515 adapted to be closed when the relay 5133 is energized. An oscillator 516 has an input circuit connected by aline 511 to the commutator 508 and by a line 518 to a switch contact 519 which is normally open and is closed by the energized relay 503.

As long as there is tape in the machine, the metallic members 501 and 502 are separated by the insulating paper tape and the circuit of relay 503 remains open. The circuit of motor 504 therefore remains closed and the tape is fed through the machine at prescribed speed, as previously explained. However, when the tape becomes exhausted, the conducting members 501 and 502 directly engage and close the circuit of relay 503 which is instantly energized to accomplish the following results; The switch 505 is opened and the feed tape motor 504 stops; the switch 511 is closed and the motor 509 is energized to operate the signal commutator 508; the switches 506 and 50! are opened and the associated contacts 515 and 519 are closed to switch the output of the amplifier through the commutator 508 to the oscillator 516. The coded commutator 508 causes the oscillator 516 to send a standby signal over the line L to the distant receiver until fresh tape is inserted in the transmitter.

Another and simpler method of sending out a coded standby signal is disclosed in Fig. 1l where the scanning light itself is used to generate the signal. Here the coded tape 105 runs over a thin plate 520 which has an aperture 52| in line with the scanning beam. Beneath the plate 520 is a thick disk or short cylinder 522 with black and white marks 523 on its periphery. These marks represent a prearranged code. A small motor 524 running constantly drives the code disk 522 at a denite speed. When the tape is exhausted, the scanning spot strikes the periphery of the rotating disk 522 with the result that the photocell 113 receives the signal represented by the marks 523. This signal goes out from the amplifier over the transmission line L until the next tape `is inserted or until the machine is shut down.

Instead of using a disk with code marks on its periphery as in Fig. 11, we may employ a thin disk 525 with code marks 526 arranged on its face around the edge, as shown in Fig. 12. A motor 521 constantly rotates the disk 525 Which is so mounted that the code marks 525 come under the aperture 521 into the path of the scanning beam. Otherwise what has been said for 11 applies to Fig. 12.

It Will be apparent that the various features of novelty contained in our invention need not all be embodied in the same installation, for certain features retain their `inherent advantages independently of others. Wherever we have given exact figures, such as to designate dimensions, these are intended merely for purposes of explanation. Also, when we refer to the code marks as black and to the background of the tape as white, we use the terms black and white in a broad` sense to include any dark or light colors 0f such contrast as to reect a minimum and a maximum amount of iight to the photocell during the scanning'operation.

VIt is hardly necessary to add that the specific apparatus and circuits which we have described represent but one form of our invention and are not to be taken as a restriction or limitation thereof. Modications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the nature and scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a telegraph transmitter, optical scanning mechanism having an apertured plate in the path of the scanning beam, and a pair of transparent members in close physical contact with the opposite sides of said plate and extending across the aperture of said plate for shielding the same.

2. In a code tape transmitter, optical scanning mechanism for energizing a photocell by light reected from a coded tape, said mechanism having a lens system disposed between said photocell and said tape, a plate with `an aperture in the optical path between the lens system and said photocell, and adjustable means for iocusing the scanned image of the tape on said plate, whereby said aperture determines the scanning area of the tape.

3. In a code tape transmitter, optical scan-'- ning mechanism for energizing a photocell by light reflected from a coded tape, said mechanism having a prism Yand an apertured plate arranged in the optical path between the tape and said photocell, said prism reflecting the light through the aperture of said plate to the photocell, and means for adjusting said prism and plate as a unit to focus the scanned image of the tape on said plate, whereby said aperture determines the scanning area of the tape, said image being viewable through the prism.

4. A code tape transmitter having means for scanning a coded tape and generating signal impulses, means for driving the tape during the scanning operation, a transmission line for said impulses, a rotary member provided with code areas, said member being normally inoperative in relation to said transmission line, and means for automatically causing said coded member to send a standby signal to the line when the tape runs out.

5. A code tape transmitter having optical means for scanning a coded tape and generating signal impulses, means for driving the tape during the scanning operation, a transmission line for said impulses, and a rotary member provided with code marks which are shielded from the scanning beam by the tape, whereby said code marks are automatically scanned when the tape runs out to send a standby signal to the line.

6. A code tape transmitter having means for scanning a coded tape and generating signal impulses, means for driving the tape during the scanning operation, a transmission line for said impulses, a normally inoperative rotary member provided with code marks, a normally inoperative signal generator coupled to said rotary member and associated with said line, and means for automatically energizing said generator and said rotary member to send a standby signal to the line when the tape runs out and disengages said driving means.

7. A code tape transmitter having means for scanning a coded tape and generating signal impulses, means for driving the tape during the scanning operation, an amplifier for the signal impulses, a normally inoperative rotary member provided with code marks, a transmission line for the amplified impulses, a normally inoperative signal generator coupled to said rotary member and associated with said line, and means for energizing said generator and said rotary member and switching the line from the output of the amplifier to the signal generator when the tape runs out and disengages said driving means, whereby said generator sends a standby signal to the line.

8. AY code tape transmitter having means for scanning a coded tape and generating signal impulses, a transmission line for said impulses, a pair of metal rollers for driving the tape during the scanning operation, the tape passing between said rollers and holding them apart, an electric motor for driving said rollers, a relay energized when the tape runs out and said rollers engage each other, a switch opened by said energized relay for breaking the motor circuit, and means controlled by the energized relay for sending a standby signal to the line, said means comprising a normally inoperative rotary member provided with code areas.

9. In a code tape transmitter connected to a transmission line and having optical scanning mechanism for tape with code marks disposed on a contrasting background, said mechanism including a light source and a photocell for receiving light from said light source reflected from the scanned tape, means for moving said tape in the path of said light source, a member having a surface normally shielded from the path of said light by said tape and disposed in part in the path of said light when the tape runs out, a predetermined area of said surface having light reflecting characteristics corresponding substantially to that of the background of the tape and means for sending signals to the line in accordance with the light reiiected by said area when said tape runs out.

10. In a code tape transmitter having optical scanning mechanism for tape with code marks disposed on a contrasting background, said mechanism including a light source and a photocell for receiving light from said light source reflected from the scanned tape, means for moving said tape in the path of said light source, a'. member having a surface normally shielded from the path of said light by said tape and disposed in part in the path of said light when the tape runs out, a predetermined area of said surface having light refiecting characteristics corresponding substantially to that of the background of the tape, said surface having another area having light reflecting characteristics corresponding substantially to that of the code marks on said tape, means for moving said surface to bring said latter area into said light path and means for sending signals in accordance with the light reflected by said areas.

11. In a code tape transmitter having optical scanning mechanism for tape with code marks disposed on a contrasting background, said mechanism including a light source and a photocell for receiving light from said light source reected from the scanned tape, means for moving said tape in the path of said light source, a member having a surface normally shielded from the path of said light by said tape and disposed in part in the path of said light when the tape runs out, alternate areas of said surface having light reflecting characteristics corresponding respectively to said tape code marks and said tape background, means for moving said surface-to bring said areas into the path of said light sequentially and means for sending sigiials in accordance with Potts Oct. 12, 1948 

